Endocrine System
Overview of the endocrine system
The endocrine system includes all of the glands in the body and the hormones they produce. The glands are controlled by stimulation of the nervous system as well as by chemical receptors in the blood and hormones produced by the other glands. By regulating the functions of organs, glands help maintain the body's homeostasis.
Anatomy of the ENDOCRINE system
Endocrine System of the Head and Neck: The endocrine system of the head and neck includes the structures responsible for governing the release of hormones to the body to maintain homeostasis. The hormones released into the bloodstream from glands in the head and neck are transported through the body and effects each body system.
Hypothalamus- A cluster of brain cells, superior to the pituitary gland, it transmits messages from the body to the brain. The hypothalamus also utilizes the pituitary gland to connect the nervous system to the endocrine system.
Pineal Gland- The pineal gland is a small oval structure located on the section of the brain that relays sensory information between the brain's different regions. The pineal gland produces several important hormones such as melatonin. Melatonin regulates the circadian rhythm
Pituitary Gland- Located in the center of the skull, posterior to the nose, the pituitary gland is roughly the size of a pea. It effectively connects the nervous system to the endocrine system by releasing hormones that affect growth, sexual development, and metabolism.
Thyroid Gland- Located in the base of the neck, the thyroid gland helps maintain the body's homeostasis. A butterfly shaped organ, the thyroid gland expands on the lateral sides of the trachea and larynx. The thyroid gland produces two vital metabolic hormones, T3 and T4, and they regulate the body's metabolism by 'turning on' nearly all of the body's cells and inducing them to produce proteins. Physiological effects of the thyroid gland include, increased heart rate, tissue growth, body heat production, and energy consumption.
Parathyroid Glands- Roughly the size of a grain of rice, the parathyroid glands are composed in a collection of four glands.
Endocrine System of the Upper Torso:
Thymus Gland- This gland produces several hormones and serves a vital role in training and developing T cells (an important white blood cell). T cells defend the body from deadly bacteria, viruses, and fungi. A triangular organ, the thymus is located posterior to the sternum. The thymus receives immature T cells that are produced in the red bone marrow and train them to be functional. Once the T cells are mature and released into the bloodstream, the T cells circulate through the body where they recognize and kill pathogens.
Endocrine System of the Lower Torso:
Ovaries- A pair of glands in the female pelvic cavity, the ovaries are vital for the function of producing female sex hormones and gametes. The size and shape of an almond, the ovaries are located on opposite sides of the uterus and are attached to the uterus by the ovarian ligament. The open ends of the Fallopian tubes rest just past the lateral surface of the ovaries and transports egg cells to the uterus.
Pancreas- A gland, the pancreas assists the body's sugar and energy homeostasis. The pancreas has alpha cells and beta cells, the alpha cells release the hormone glucagon in response to the stimulation of the
Superanrenal (Adrenal) Glands- Triangular glands that are located along the superior edge of the kidneys. Each gland is composed of two regions, an outer cortex and an inner medulla. The medulla produces stress hormones under stimulation by the sympathetic division of the autonomic nervous system. These hormones help the body's "fight or flight" responses to stress and exertion by increasing the body's blood output to the muscles, increasing the efficiency of the lungs, and releasing energy. The cortex produces three hormones that raise glucose levels and balance ion concentration.
Testes- Responsible for the production of sperm cells and the male sex hormone, testosterone, the testes are located in the hollow sac of the scrotum. The tests are connected through the spermatic cords. Nerves, blood vessels, and lymphatic vessels travel through the spermatic cords to support the testes. The vas deferens also pass through the spermatic cord, and carry sperm out of the testes toward the prostate and urethra.
Uterus- Also known as the womb, the uterus is an organ of the female reproductive system and is responsible for the development of the embryo and fetus during pregnancy.
Hypothalamus- A cluster of brain cells, superior to the pituitary gland, it transmits messages from the body to the brain. The hypothalamus also utilizes the pituitary gland to connect the nervous system to the endocrine system.
Pineal Gland- The pineal gland is a small oval structure located on the section of the brain that relays sensory information between the brain's different regions. The pineal gland produces several important hormones such as melatonin. Melatonin regulates the circadian rhythm
Pituitary Gland- Located in the center of the skull, posterior to the nose, the pituitary gland is roughly the size of a pea. It effectively connects the nervous system to the endocrine system by releasing hormones that affect growth, sexual development, and metabolism.
Thyroid Gland- Located in the base of the neck, the thyroid gland helps maintain the body's homeostasis. A butterfly shaped organ, the thyroid gland expands on the lateral sides of the trachea and larynx. The thyroid gland produces two vital metabolic hormones, T3 and T4, and they regulate the body's metabolism by 'turning on' nearly all of the body's cells and inducing them to produce proteins. Physiological effects of the thyroid gland include, increased heart rate, tissue growth, body heat production, and energy consumption.
Parathyroid Glands- Roughly the size of a grain of rice, the parathyroid glands are composed in a collection of four glands.
Endocrine System of the Upper Torso:
Thymus Gland- This gland produces several hormones and serves a vital role in training and developing T cells (an important white blood cell). T cells defend the body from deadly bacteria, viruses, and fungi. A triangular organ, the thymus is located posterior to the sternum. The thymus receives immature T cells that are produced in the red bone marrow and train them to be functional. Once the T cells are mature and released into the bloodstream, the T cells circulate through the body where they recognize and kill pathogens.
Endocrine System of the Lower Torso:
Ovaries- A pair of glands in the female pelvic cavity, the ovaries are vital for the function of producing female sex hormones and gametes. The size and shape of an almond, the ovaries are located on opposite sides of the uterus and are attached to the uterus by the ovarian ligament. The open ends of the Fallopian tubes rest just past the lateral surface of the ovaries and transports egg cells to the uterus.
Pancreas- A gland, the pancreas assists the body's sugar and energy homeostasis. The pancreas has alpha cells and beta cells, the alpha cells release the hormone glucagon in response to the stimulation of the
Superanrenal (Adrenal) Glands- Triangular glands that are located along the superior edge of the kidneys. Each gland is composed of two regions, an outer cortex and an inner medulla. The medulla produces stress hormones under stimulation by the sympathetic division of the autonomic nervous system. These hormones help the body's "fight or flight" responses to stress and exertion by increasing the body's blood output to the muscles, increasing the efficiency of the lungs, and releasing energy. The cortex produces three hormones that raise glucose levels and balance ion concentration.
Testes- Responsible for the production of sperm cells and the male sex hormone, testosterone, the testes are located in the hollow sac of the scrotum. The tests are connected through the spermatic cords. Nerves, blood vessels, and lymphatic vessels travel through the spermatic cords to support the testes. The vas deferens also pass through the spermatic cord, and carry sperm out of the testes toward the prostate and urethra.
Uterus- Also known as the womb, the uterus is an organ of the female reproductive system and is responsible for the development of the embryo and fetus during pregnancy.